Gamble Sands breaks ground on short course designed by David McLay Kidd

Gamble Sands in Brewster, Washington, has broken ground on its second course, Quicksands, which comprises 14 one-shot holes designed by David McLay Kidd.

Quicksands will be laid out on rolling sand dunes to the east of the Gamble Sands clubhouse, between the range and the entry road.

It is the first short course designed by Kidd and will be the first of its kind in Washington state. Quicksands will join the resort’s 18-hole Sands course, which opened for play in 2014, and the 100,000-square-foot Cascades putting course that followed shortly afterwards.

“Historically, short courses were often afterthoughts, squeezed into useless corners for non-golfers to go try their hand,” said Kidd. “Today, short courses have become a serious addition to world-class golf resorts. The best land is sought, the best talent is brought to bear, expectations are high, and we don’t plan to disappoint.”

Holes will range between 60 to 160 yards, each designed to offer a unique challenge to a golfer’s skills and imagination. Their working names, including Plinko, Crater, Donut and Boomerang, give some sense of what to expect.

“It is maybe the best piece of terrain on the property,” said Kidd. “We didn’t use it for the big course because it is wildly contoured. It was pretty difficult to figure out a way for a full-scale hole through it, but for fourteen short holes, it was perfect.”

Watch: David McLay Kidd provides a preview of the Quicksands layout.

Kidd and partner Nick Schaan were hands-on in the creation of Quicksands, working with the crew, running equipment and shaping with hand tools.

“We expect a lot of whooping and hollering throughout the course, giving it a strong social vibe,” said Brady Hatfield, general manager, Gamble Sands. “Plus, Quicksands will not be an overly stern test of one’s golf game. With limited force carries and tons of turf, golfers will have lots of shot options.”

“Enjoying the game of golf is the name of the game at Gamble Sands,” said Tory Wulf, project manager at Gamble Sands. “By adding Quicksands as the next piece of the puzzle we are providing another enjoyable and timely option for all levels of golfers.”

Grassing started in mid-May and the course is expected to be completed and open for limited preview play this autumn and fully open next year.

Richard HumphreysRichard Humphreys

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